Could ‘Skins outbid New York Giants for Josh Rosen?

The New York Giants are in the market for a quarterback, but it’s not a desperate situation for them.

Conversely, the rival Washington Redskins find themselves as polar opposites of the New York Giants at signal-caller. Say what you will about veteran Eli Manning, he still is better than the potential carousel playing out in the Nation’s Capital.

First, don’t expect erstwhile first-string quarterback Alex Smith to play this season. In fact, his gruesome leg injury may have ended his NFL career. That means right now, veteran back-up Colt McCoy gets the first-team reps with newly imported Case Keenum looking to wrest that starting position away from the former Texas Longhorn.

Could the ‘Skins look to create more competition by bring in Arizona Cardinals youngster Josh Rosen?

More from GMEN HQ

• Workout clip of Evan Neal training with former All-Pro OT has Giants fans excited
• NFL Draft Schedule of Events: How to Navigate Draft Weekend
• 4 NY Giants who must step their game up in 2023
• This SEC CB at No. 25 overall for the Giants is gaining steam
• When is the NFL Draft?

Peter King of NBC’s Pro Football Talk believes so, as he ranks the Washington Redskins first on his list of potential suitors for Rosen. The New York Giants land at second on King’s list.

Per Peter King’s Football in America:

"“Canvassing the league in recent days, I found two teams as favorites to acquire quarterback Josh Rosen, the 10th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, if Arizona chooses to draft Kyler Murray and trade Rosen. I believe if this does happen, Washington is in the best position to do the deal. It could come down to whether Washington is willing to give a second-round pick instead of the third-rounder that obviously it would prefer to trade for Rosen.”"

Could the New York Giants be outbid for the services of Josh Rosen?

Absolutely.

Look at the deal that Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen gave to Landon Collins. The contract given to the former New York Giants safety was excessive. At six-years, $84 million, Collins new pact far outpaced Tyrann Mathieu, Earl Thomas, Adrian Amos, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

The point being that the Redskins plunked down serious cash in a buyers’ market for safeties this offseason. No doubt that Collins is a very good player, but his new contract shows a clear desire to blow every other suitor away.

Toss logic aside when events turn personal.

Fast forward to the Rosen scenario, the draft pick alignment favors Washington. Currently, we are experiencing a lull in activity, and in reality, the Rosen market may actually be getting soft, but it may heat up again as we get closer to the NFL Draft.

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman will have to decide if Rosen is worth the No. 37 overall selection. Keep in mind that Rosen has already burned one-year of his rookie contract, so that devalues him considerably.

The question becomes how much?

The Redskins are the owners of the No. 47 overall pick, and dealing that pick makes more sense. And as an added bonus, you cannot summarily dismiss the desire of the Redskins to stick it to the New York Giants, as the undercurrent of this rivalry clearly reaches the owner’s box.

Once upon a time, Giants co-owner John Mara penalized Dan Snyder and Redskins for salary cap violations. The Dallas Cowboys were also hit with penalties. Mara, who was chair of the NFL’s management council at the time, penalized the Cowboys $10 million and the Redskins $36 million against their respective salary caps.

This drama played in March 2012, but don’t expect Snyder to ever forget.

Back then, Mara defended the move, per ESPN:

"“I thought the penalties imposed were proper.  What they did was in violation of the spirit of the salary cap. They attempted to take advantage of a one-year loophole, and quite frankly, I think they’re lucky they didn’t lose draft picks.”"

Even though the Redskins are not in the throes of desperation at quarterback, if it takes their second-round pick to throw a monkey wrench into the Giants plans, expect it to happen.

From the New York Giants standpoint, there’d seem to be a few dynamics at work: 1. Are they sold on Rosen as a potential successor to Eli Manning? 2. The timing of events will become a significant factor (i.e. – if and when Kyler Murray gets drafted by the Cardinals, talks will have to conclude quickly at the draft); and 3. Do the Giants want to give up their No. 37 selection for Rosen?

If the Giants have the option of giving up their third-round (No. 95 overall), or a 2020 draft pick, then a deal can get done with Arizona. But the Redskins hold the cards (no pun intended) with their second-round selection (No. 46), or their third-round pick (No. 76) in their back pocket.

As outlined, it seems that Washington possesses more of the asset that could get this deal done, so to Peter King’s point, they’d have to be the favorite to land Rosen on draft day.